The Parameterisation of Scalar Transfer over Rough Ice

We test a surface renewal model that is widely used over snow and ice surfaces to calculate the scalar roughness length (z _s ), one of the key parameters in the bulk aerodynamic method. For the first time, the model is tested against observations that cover a wide range of aerodynamic roughness lengths (z ₀). During the experiments, performed in the ablation areas of the Greenland ice sheet and the Vatnajökull ice cap in Iceland, the surface varied from smooth snow to very rough hummocky ice. Over relatively smooth snow and ice with z ₀ below a threshold value of approximately 10^?3 m, the model performs well and in accord with earlier studies. However, with growing hummock size, z ₀ increases well above the threshold and the bulk aerodynamic flux becomes significantly smaller than the eddy-correlation flux (e.g. for z ₀ = 0.01 m, the bulk aerodynamic flux is about 50% smaller). Apparently, the model severely underpredicts z _s over hummocky ice. We argue that the surface renewal model does not account for the deep inhomogeneous roughness sublayer (RSL) that is generated by the hummocks. As a consequence, the homogeneous substrate ice grain cover becomes more efficiently ‘ventilated’. Calculations with an alternative model that includes the RSL and was adapted for use over hummocky ice, qualitatively confirms our observations. We suggest that, whenever exceedance of the threshold occurs (z ₀  >  10^?3 m, i.e., an ice surface covered with at least 0.3-m high hummocks), the following relation should be used to calculate scalar roughness lengths, ln (z _s /z ₀)  =  1.5  ? 0.2 ln (Re _*)  ? 0.11(ln (Re _*))².     

Evaluation of oxygen isotopes in carbonate as an indicator of lake evolution in arid areas: The modern Qinghai Lake, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

The oxygen isotopic composition of carbonate in lakes has been used as a useful indicator in Palaeolimnological research, and has made some important contributions to our understanding of lacustrine systems. For modern lakes in arid or cold areas, however, there are few data available to test the effect of lake salinity and temperature on the oxygen isotopic composition of various carbonate sources such as ostracod, bulk carbonate, and fine-grained carbonate (< 60 μm). Here we examined the oxygen isotopic composition of ostracods, bulk carbonate, and fine-grained carbonates, as well as that of coexisting water from Lake Qinghai and the smaller surrounding lakes and ponds on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Our investigation highlights three key effects. First, the oxygen isotopic composition of ostracods, bulk carbonate, and fine-grained carbonate in the lakes and ponds shows a clear response to lake water δ¹⁸O values, and these vary with water salinity. The relationship between lake water δ¹⁸O and salinity is not only dominated by the evaporation/freshwater input ratios, but is also controlled by the distance to the mouth of the major rivers supplying to the lake. Second, the ostracod, bulk carbonate, and fine-grained carbonate show similar isotopic change trends in the study area, and oxygen isotopic differences between ostracods and authigenic carbonate may be explained by the different water temperatures and very small ‘vital offsets’ of ostracods. Finally, the effect of water depth on temperature leads to increasing δ¹⁸O values in carbonates as water depth increases, both in benthic ostracods living on the lake bottom, as well as in bulk carbonate precipitated at the water surface.For arid, high-altitude Lake Qinghai, our results suggest that variations in the δ¹⁸O values of carbonate in Lake Qinghai are mainly controlled by the oxygen-isotope ratio of the lake water changing with water salinity. As a secondary effect, increasing water depth leads to cooler bottom and surface water, which may result in more positive δ¹⁸O values of ostracod and bulk carbonate.     

Analysis of small-scale heterogeneity in clastic rocks by using computerized X-ray tomography (CT)

The aim of this study is to recognize the basic clastic rock types on the basis of Hounsfield Units (HUs) by using statistical methods (hypothesis tests, distribution fitting, and confidence intervals). How does this recognition depend on depositional history of samples tested? Does the numerical pattern of HUs obtained from small-scale analyzing of some particular sedimentary structures coincide to the textural expectations of those sedimentary structures? Are the HU values provided by the CT measurements capable of evidencing micro-cycles belonging to a particular depositional history?For testing the numerical recognition, we analyze macroscopically homogeneous argillaceous marl, siltstone and fine sandstone samples with similar depositional background, age, and degree of diagenesis. The preliminary research shows that the Hounsfield Units can identify different sedimentary rocks considerably well. There are significant differences among the confidence intervals belonging to the different rock types. However, there also have been some slight overlaps among them.For analyzing the effects of the depositional processes in case of a particular rock type, samples from channel sandstone, distributary mouth-bar, massive (structureless) sandstone from a delta-fed turbidity fan, and channel sandstone with traction carpet origin from a delta-fed turbidity fan (all coming from Pannonian basin filling series) are used. The results prove again the significant differences in the terms of both confidence intervals and distribution-types; however, some overlapping also occurs.     

Investigation of fractal distribution law for the trace number of random and grouped fractures in a geological mass

A fractal study method of the number of geological mass fractures is introduced in detail in this paper. Three main aspects of the problem were studied: (1) The random distribution of fractures in a geological mass was in good agreement with the fractal law. The size scale of the studied geological mass ranged from 2400 m to 1 mm for the length of each side, and the geological mass samples were taken from 13 coal areas in China. (2) The geological mass fractures were evidently directional and anisotropic, having originated from tectonic movement. Observation and statistics for the data from the Xuangang, Fenxi and Dongshan coal areas in Shanxi, China, demonstrated that the fracture distribution of each group, classified by the strike of the strata, still follow the fractal law, even though the fractal dimension varies to a certain extent with different strikes. (3) The sedimentary strata containing the coal seams, as a geological mass, underwent almost similar tectonic movements in their geological history. The mechanical experiments on geological mass samples from Fenxi and Jiexiu in Shanxi demonstrated that the fractal dimension of the number of fractures in the same strata is in good power function with the product of strength and elastic modulus. The larger the product of the strength of the elastic modulus is, the larger is the fractal dimension, and vice versa.     

考虑卸荷变形模量的坑底回弹变形计算方法

针对基坑开挖卸荷导致坑底土体回弹变形问题,考虑开挖卸荷过程中土体弹性模量随着卸荷应力路径变化的特征,推导在卸荷应力路径作用下土体变形模量的计算公式,考虑基坑的开挖为地表以下基坑开挖面处应力的变化,基于Mindlin应力解计算矩形基坑开挖卸荷引起的坑底土体附加应力,采用分层总和法计算基坑开挖引起的坑底土体的回弹变形,结合已有文献中的工程实例,采用该方法计算开挖引起的坑底隆起变形,并与实际监测数据对比分析表明,该方法能够有效预测基坑开挖引起的坑底隆起变形,能够作为基坑开挖坑底隆起变形的一种有效预测方法。     

Anisotropic cosmological models with bulk viscosity for variable <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis> and Λ

In this paper we have considered axially symmetric Bianchi-I, Kantowski Sachs and Bianchi-III space-time models with bulk viscosity, where the gravitational constant G and the cosmological term Λ vary with time. In Einstein equations this variation in G and Λ are taken in such a way as to preserve the energy momentum tensor. Solutions are obtained with the cosmological term varying inversely with square of time.     

Mechanical properties of calcareous silts in a hydraulic fill island-reef

Abstract

The mechanical characteristics of calcareous silt interlayers play an important role in the stability of island-reef foundations. Direct shear and consolidation tests were performed to study the relationship between the mechanical properties and the physical parameters of calcareous silt. Based on the consolidation test results and analysis of the settling examples, different calculation methods for soil settling were compared. The results show the following. (1) The relationship between the cohesion and water content of calcareous silt can be represented by an M-shaped curve. The water contents corresponding to the two peaks of the M-type curve increase with increasing dry density. (2) When the dry density is less than 1.33?g/cm³, increasing the density significantly improves the internal friction angle of calcareous silts. When the dry density of the calcareous silt is greater than 1.33?g/cm³, the internal friction angle is affected by both the dry density and the water content. (3) The shear strength decreases when the water content exceeds the optimum level. (4) The compressive modulus of calcareous silt is larger than that of terrigenous silt. Specifically, it decreases with decreasing dry density and increasing water content. (5) The stepwise loading method should be used to estimate the soil settling before fill engineering construction.     

Influence of seismic motions on behavior of piles in liquefied soils

In the present study an analytical procedure based on finite element technique is proposed to investigate the influence of vertical load on deflection and bending moment of a laterally loaded pile embedded in liquefiable soil, subjected to permanent ground displacement. The degradation of subgrade modulus due to soil liquefaction and effect of nonlinearity are also considered. A free headed vertical concrete elastic nonyielding pile with a floating tip subjected to vertical compressive loading, lateral load, and permanent ground displacement due to earthquake motions, in liquefiable soil underlain by nonliquefiable stratum, is considered. The input seismic motions, having varying range of ground motion parameters, considered here include 1989 Loma Gilroy, 1995 Kobe, 2001 Bhuj, and 2011 Sikkim motions. It is calculated that maximum bending moment occurred at the interface of liquefiable and nonliquefiable soil layers and when thickness of liquefiable soil layer is around 60% of total pile length. Maximum bending moment of 1210 kNm and pile head deflection of 110 cm is observed because of 1995 Kobe motion, while 2001 Bhuj and 2011 Sikkim motions amplify the pile head deflection by 14.2 and 14.4 times and bending moment approximately by 4 times, when compared to nonliquefiable soil. Further, the presence of inertial load at the pile head increases bending moment and deflection by approximately 52% when subjected to 1995 Kobe motion. Thus, it is necessary to have a proper assessment of both kinematic and inertial interactions due to free field seismic motions and vertical loads for evaluating pile response in liquefiable soil.     

太行山淇河流域2000-2015年土壤侵蚀和水源供给变化研究

山地生态系统的土壤侵蚀和水源供给变化对评估区域生态环境质量有重要意义。基于2000-2015年四期土地利用数据,借助InVEST模型对淇河流域近16年间山地生态系统的土壤侵蚀和水源供给变化进行评估。结果表明：① 研究区主要土地利用类型为耕地、草地和林地,共占流域总面积的90%以上。近16年间淇河流域的耕地面积显著减少,草地和水域面积大幅增加,建设用地扩张明显。② 平均土壤侵蚀模数显著降低,2000年土壤侵蚀模数为154.27 t/（hm²·a）,2015年减少到32.09 t/（hm²·a）;强度侵蚀、极强侵蚀和剧烈侵蚀由9.03%、12.19%和25.96%分别减少到7.17%、6.36%和4.21%,微度侵蚀、轻度侵蚀和中度侵蚀由24.31%、16.96%和11.57%增加到41.89%、27.71%和12.68%;退耕还林、还草措施优化了土地利用格局,促进植被恢复,对治理土壤侵蚀起到了显著效果。③ 水源供给量整体呈现先增加后减少的趋势,2005年达到峰值（1.79亿m³）。相邻两期水源供给量增减变化不一,2000-2005年水源供给量增加的面积大于减少的面积,其水源供给的量值也呈增加趋势,水源供给能力整体增强;而2005-2010年、2010-2015年的水源供给能力随之减弱,其中,2010-2015年水源供给减少的较小;林地和草地面积的增加造成水源供给量降低,土壤水源涵养能力增强。土壤侵蚀和水源供给是山地生态脆弱性响应的重要指标,制定合理的水土保持措施对增强山区生态系统的服务能力具有重要意义。     

Laboratory and field performance of recycled aggregate base in a seasonally cold region

The objective of this project was to characterize the freeze-thaw properties of recycled concrete (RCA) and asphalt (RAP) as unbound base and to assess how they behaved in the field for nearly 8 years. This paper includes an examination of existing information, laboratory studies of freeze-thaw behavior, and evaluation of data from MnROAD field-test sections in a seasonally cold region, i.e., in Minnesota, USA. Test sections were constructed using recycled materials in the granular base layers at the MnROAD test facility. One test section included 100% RAP, another 100% RCA, a third one a 50/50 blend of RCA/natural aggregate, and a fourth one only natural aggregate (Class 5) as a control. The stiffness (i.e., elastic modulus) was monitored during construction and throughout the pavement life by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, along with the variation of temperatures and moisture regimes in the pavement to determine their effects on pavement performance. The resilient modulus of each material was determined by bench-scale testing in accordance with NCHRP 1-28a, as well as by field-scale tests incorporating a falling-weight deflectometer. Specimens were subjected to as many as 20 cycles of freeze-thaw in the laboratory, and the change in their resilient modulus was measured. In the field-test sections constructed with the same materials as the base course, temperature, moisture, and field modulus (from falling-weight deflectometer tests) were monitored seasonally for nearly 8 years. From the temperatures in the base course layer, the number of freeze-thaw cycles experienced in the field was determined for each test section. Inferences were made relative to modulus change versus freeze-thaw cycles. Conclusions were drawn for long-term field performances of the recycled base (RAB) in comparison to natural aggregate.